After exiting this year's tournament at the first round stage and failing to guide Zambia to the 2014 World Cup, Renard will return to his homeland with Sochaux, which has won just one of its first nine Ligue 1 games.

"Herve Renard has been released from the job of Zambia national coach," read a statement from the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ).

United in triumph – The Zambia team gather together in prayer moments after Stoppila Sunzu's penalty earned the Copper Bullets' first African title.

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Zambia's Cup of Nations victory8 photos

Gone but not forgotten – It was a poignant win for Zambia, who lost 18 members of their squad in a plane crash in Gabon in 1993. Kalusha Bwalya, the president of the Football Association of Zambia and one of the surviving members of the squad, was on hand to celebrate with the team.

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Zambia's Cup of Nations victory8 photos

Herve the hero – French coach Herve Renard is enjoying his second spell as Zambia coach, with the 43-year-old having also been with the team between 2008 and 2010.

Ivorians inconsolable – But Ivory Coast fans in the city of Abidjan were inconsolable. The 1992 champions have failed to deliver success despite having star players such as Didier Drogba and brothers Kolo and Yaya Toure.

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Zambia's Cup of Nations victory8 photos

Crucial miss – Drogba could have put the Ivory Coast ahead midway through the second half, but fired his penalty high over the crossbar. The Chelsea striker also missed a spot-kick in the Elephants' 2006 shootout defeat to Egypt.

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Zambia's Cup of Nations victory8 photos

King Kennedy – Zambia goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene was the hero on Sunday, saving Kolo Toure's spot-kick before Gervinho also missed the target for the Ivorians.

Paolo Di Canio: 'Fascist not racist' – Controversial Italian Paolo Di Canio has landed his second club manager's job with English Premier League side Sunderland.

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Paolo Di Canio: 'Fascist not racist'9 photos

Paolo Di Canio: 'Fascist not racist' – Di Canio caused controversy as a player after this "Roman salute" to his club Lazio's fans after a derby match against Roma in January 2005. He was later banned one match and fined for a similar gesture during a game against Livorno.

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Paolo Di Canio: 'Fascist not racist'9 photos

Paolo Di Canio: 'Fascist not racist' – Di Canio was a member of Lazio's notorious "Irriducibili" right-wing fan group before he became a successful player. This season the Italian club has been charged four times for racially offensive behavior by its supporters.

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Paolo Di Canio: 'Fascist not racist'9 photos

Paolo Di Canio: 'Fascist not racist' – His first English club was Sheffield Wednesday, where he received an 11-match ban after pushing referee Paul Alcock to the ground when he was sent off during a Premiership match against Arsenal on September 26, 1998.

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Paolo Di Canio: 'Fascist not racist'9 photos

Paolo Di Canio: 'Fascist not racist' – Although Di Canio has admitted to holding fascist beliefs and being "fascinated" by Italy's former dictator Benito Mussolini, he has always denied that he is a racist. Here he is pictured with former Sheffield Wednesday teammate Manuel Agogg in August 1997.

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Paolo Di Canio: 'Fascist not racist'9 photos

Paolo Di Canio: 'Fascist not racist' – He never represented his country at senior level, but Di Canio played for top Serie A sides Juventus and AC Milan beore moving to Britain.

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Paolo Di Canio: 'Fascist not racist' – He was a cult hero at West Ham, where his spectacular goals and outrageous skills earned him the adulation of the fans.

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Paolo Di Canio: 'Fascist not racist'9 photos

Paolo Di Canio: 'Fascist not racist' – His arrival at Swindon in 2011 marked the departure of one of the club's sponsors in protest at his past statements about fascism, but Di Canio led the team out of England's bottom division as champions in his first season as manager. However, he dropped captain Paul Caddis (pictured) before the 2012-13 campaign started, and quit in February due to Swindon's financial problems -- and then had to break into his office to retrieve personal items after the locks were changed.

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Paolo Di Canio: 'Fascist not racist' – Di Canio was appointed by Sunderland a day after the club's collaboration with the Nelson Mandela foundation was officially launched at the home match against Manchester United. Vice-chairman David Miliband promptly quit, with the former MP -- who was a key figure in the club's involvement with the "Invest in Africa" initiative -- citing Di Canio's past statements about his political beliefs.

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EXPAND GALLERY

"He has been offered a wonderful opportunity at Sochaux. FAZ and Herve have consulted and it has been agreed not to stand in his way."

Sunderland has endured a torrid start to the season, sitting bottom of the table with just one point from seven matches.

Poyet, who has been out of work since leaving second-tier Brighton and Hove Albion in June, has been tasked with bridging the six-point gap between Sunderland and safety.

"We analyzed a wide range of candidates and believe that Gus's track record, experience, commitment and passion make him the right man to take us forward," Sunderland's American chairman Ellis Short said in a statement.

"We welcome him to Sunderland."

Survival in England's top division is now more important than ever, with clubs looking to cash in on the league's lucrative broadcasting rights deals.

Such is the wealth on offer that even the team which finishes bottom of the 20-team Premier League will pocket a reported $100m in broadcasting revenue for the 2013-14 season.